Who are the New York Mets in 2024? On one hand they told us before the year that this would be a sort of off year for them and didn't make any earth shattering moves in the off season, despite the richest owner in the sports wallet. On the other hand they still had a collection of talent that could compete, many left over from the last spending spree from their owner.
As we now enter the break the question still lingers for Mets fans. Who are they? The Mets are hovering right around .500 and have been playing much better as the weather has gotten warmer. The Amazin's are right in the thick of the Wild Card chase and entering this weekend have a spot in the playoffs, yet they are also linked to be one of the biggest sellers in the next two weeks.
Pete Alonso is a name that continues to crop up on the trade market and he could fetch a pretty impressive return from a team like the Astros or Mariners, both of which he has been linked to. But, if the Mets are in the hunt for a playoff spot should they sell the face of the team and their biggest slugger? Once again we are asked who are the New York Mets?
If you look at the Mets on paper they have some young arms that will need some innings eaters in the rotation if they are serious about competing this season. They need bullpen help, like most of the league, and probably could use one more bat. These can all be fixable situations, without breaking up a front loaded minor league system, but do the Mets believe their own record? On the other hand if New York has doubts about it's own legitimacy they can sell Alonso, Marte, Quintana, Diekman, and more and start building for that future that has been promised to fans for a while now.
So as we enter the break there doesn't seem to be any obvious answers, but there is one massive question. Who are the Mets, or better put, who does the Mets management believe they are? They will be one of the most interesting teams to watch over the next two weeks because they are going to tell the fans exactly who they think they are before the trade deadline comes.